The Architects Registration Board has published its Strategic Statement on Climate Change and Sustainability, which sets out how we intend to approach one of the defining challenges of our time, and one that architects have a significant role to play in addressing. Through sustainable practice, architects can help reduce the effects of climate change on the built environment through conserving natural resources and by designing in a way that minimises carbon emissions.
All architects in practice have a responsibility to ensure they are sufficiently competent in terms of the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours required to address climate change through sustainable architecture.
Many design decisions taken now will have long-term impacts, and we believe architects should aspire to do more than just comply with the current legislation and Codes, and instead be at the forefront of the construction industry in trying to protect the environment.
To that end we are announcing several regulatory activities to support that commitment.
These include:
• Issuing guidelines to the profession under the Code of Conduct in early 2021, setting out the areas of competency architects should have in relation to sustainable practice;
• Issuing guidance to schools of architecture on how they should address sustainability in their prescribed qualifications;
• Reviewing what competencies architect should have to meet the demands of the 21st century;
• Considering a new regulatory model to support the maintenance of architects’ competency throughout their careers
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Notes for Editors
o The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is the statutory body established by Parliament under the Architects Act 1997 to regulate the UK architects’ profession in the public interest.
o Among other duties, the Act requires ARB to:
– Maintain the Architects Register
– Prescribe the qualifications needed to become an architect in the UK
– Issue a code laying down the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of architects
– Investigate allegations of unacceptable professional conduct or serious professional incompetence
– Investigate and where appropriate prosecute unregistered individuals who unlawfully call themselves an architect
– Act as the UK’s Competent Authority for architects
o ARB has a Board of 11 members all appointed by the Privy Council. This includes one independent, non-executive Chair and ten non-executive Board members made up of five members of the public and five architects.
o ARB has an Information Pack detailing its key messaging intended for use by the press and other stakeholders.
For further information please contact media@arb.or.uk or 020 7580 5861.
